PM Ismail Sabri expresses condolences over Shinzo Abe’s passing

SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob expresses his deepest condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Japan after the news of its former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s passing.

He said he was deeply saddened by news of Abe's death, whom he had just met earlier this year as the Special Envoy of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Japan.

“Abe has played an important role in the close relationship between Malaysia and Japan, and is a key supporter of the Look East Policy.

“I hope that the family of the deceased and the entire Japanese people will persevere in the face of trials in this sad and sorrowful atmosphere,” he said on his official Facebook page today.

The world leaders were stunned with the news of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister was shot dead during a campaign speech on Friday.

It was reported that Abe received two gunshot wounds in the western city of Nara in the morning.

The shooter was subdued by security personnel present at the site, and the 41-year-old suspect is currently in police custody.

According to local media, authorities believe they discovered explosives during a search of the alleged shooter's home.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke out against the attack, calling it "barbaric and nasty" and stating it could not be accepted.

"This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections - the very foundation of our democracy - and is absolutely unforgivable," he said.